LIT - Kleiza, Macijauskas ready to face the Boomers

HAMAMATSU (FIBA World Championship) – If Lithuania are going to reach the podium at the FIBA World Championship in Saitama on September 3, Linas Kleiza and Arvydas Macijauskas will have to turn in big performances in the coming days.

The stars have played well at times, but each has endured big disappointments with the Baltic giants suffering narrow losses to Turkey and Greece.

Arvydas Macijauskas had 24 points on opening day against Turkey but had the ball stolen when his team was holding for the last shot at the end of regulation and then fouled Ender Arslan, who went to the line and sank two free throws for a 76-74 Turkish triumph.

Macijauskas then had a nightmare finish against Greece.

In overtime, with Lithuania trailing by three, he rushed a potential game-tying three-pointer which killed his team's chances in the 81-76 victory for the Greeks.

Both Macijaukas and Kleiza got the taste of victory back in their mouths with a 106-65 thrashing of Qatar on Tuesday.

"We needed this to boost our confidence," Kleiza said to FIBA.Com.

"Right now, it's about Australia. That's about it. It's about winning."

Kleiza says Group C has been very intense.

"It's a good competition," he said.

"We were so close, we're so upset about how we weren't able to finish those games. We were tied, we had the ball and had a chance to win, but committed two turnovers that cost us games.

"We've just got to come out and play hard. We have to win those two to have a chance."

Going into Wednesday's play, Australia, Brazil and Lithuania all have 1-2 records.

Two of the three will finish in the top four and advance to Saitama.

Macijauskas says he has not fretted too much about his inconsistent play.

"This is basketball," he said. "It's not only one player, it's 10 players, team against team, coach against coach.

"We've been making a lot of mistakes on offense, but against Qatar, we did a little better," he said.

"We moved the ball much better, side to side. We need to win two more games."

Kleiza, who plays for the Denver Nuggets, says despite the tough start to the FIBA World Championship, he has thoroughly enjoyed his summer.

"To represent your country, it's a great feeling," he said. "It's always fun to play basketball, but international basketball is a whole different level."

By Jeff Taylor
FIBA